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New online tool helps Idahoans find the right care for loved ones

The Department of Health and Welfare’s Residential Care and Assisted Living Facilities Program has modernized its facility search webpage to better help Idaho adults with one of the most difficult decisions they face: choosing a quality assisted living residence where their parents or loved ones can receive around-the-clock care and supervision.

Leveraging consumer-style web search features such as filters, ratings and location-specific content, the new Facility Licensing and Regulatory Enforcement System (FLARES) webpage makes searching for assisted living facilities in Idaho faster and easier.

It also provides users with important details – whether Medicaid clients are accepted, the tenure of administrators, which facilities have received awards for outstanding compliance, the nature and veracity of any complaints filed and copies of the facility’s most recent DHW licensing inspection surveys.

“Finding the right care facility for a parent or loved one can be stressful, so we worked with the contractor who has been developing our assisted living facility licensing and survey software, provider portal and public portal to build an easy-to-use solution that presents a complete and detailed view of the options available,” said Jamie Simpson, supervisor of the Residential Care and Assisted Living Licensing & Certification Program. “Using this new tool, Idahoans will have current information on appropriate facilities before they decide which to tour.”

Idaho had previously been recognized as having highly accessible records and reports on assisted living facilities by “A Place for Mom,” one of the leading online consumer resources for researching senior living options. Simpson hopes the state’s ranking will be improved with the latest facility search upgrades, combined with other helpful tools also available on the Residential Care or Assisted Living consumers’ page, including tips, a cost comparison worksheet, and a checklist for choosing the right assisted living residence option.